I don’t even know where I’d store 200 books. I think I’d just have stacks everywhere lol

Yes. All the layers that go into 1830s clothing, and the excessive fabric in the skirt makes it very possible.

I have watched those videos of how previous generations used to dress- no wonder they needed lady’s maids, there were so many layers (not to mention all the buttons up the back and the ties and the long hair etc)

She would have layers of under skirts

I’m not sure if this would be interesting or not, but there are a pile of historical costuming videos from Crow’s Eye on YouTube, which take you through outfits of various periods in great detail. I found them fascinating https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx0IRLJNwjho-6Pkv8hR0yiFIEe_HmG_j

I am happy to see so many people sharing their thoughts about this subject. I didn't expect that when I wrote this post. But I am also sad because most of us have to deal with this problem. I would prefer that it doesn't exist. I think that readers, who are dealing with it, can find some solutions or techniques which are mentioned here very helpful.

As I said in my post, I managed somehow to reduce that bad habit of overthinking while reading a book.

Excluding myself from online databases helped. I already have a big database in my head, so there is no need to search for more. I still accept spontaneous recommendations, those are nice, but I don't search for anything new by myself.

I mostly stopped buying new books, and I read only the ones I have on my shelf (about 50 unread books). Sometimes I want to read a book I don't have, so I go and buy it. But I managed to keep that on a rare point. Before, it was happening more often.

Rereading helps.

I understand when you love something, you want more of it. You know there are so many books that you should read, and it's perfectly understandable why obsession comes on the way. But there is another side of the story, where you should accept that you cannot go through everything. That you should go easy, consume the art of writing slowly, and enjoy every drop of it. I want to live that story. I now feel like I am on the border, which is also progress, but I want to get my mind to that checkpoint where I will be cool and not obsessed.

And one more thing for the record. I don't read fast, I read slowly, and I often return and reread some passages. This bad habit I have doesn't prevent me to consume the writing how it's supposed to. It only destroys the touch of enjoyment when you're empty-headed and when you completely dive into the book. And I really miss that.

Fair play. But a word to the wise. If you're in a place of worship, don't start telling everyone that their Holy Book is unreadable garbage - even if to you it is. You'll find you'll get some backlash. :o)

Edit: wrong sub! 😂

Great question! Luckily some great answers too. Running into era/cultural misunderstandings can take me out of the book pretty heavily.

If you can find the article, that would be great. I am very curious about what was said there.

To pick whatever you want to read at that moment is my approach. It helps, but still, there is a battle with thoughts sometimes.

I just finished reading Klara and the Sun and I loved it! So excited to read more of his works :)

Many people have that problem, but atleast you are mature enough to selfreflect and notice such things. In the past i might also have been like that but nowadays idc much about it. I can proudly say that i liked twillight and Ends with us and its the best feeling to be content with ones feelings instead of going with the opinion of the mass.

i got nearly 200... Its bc of all the recommendations i get on the internet.

It probably refers to skirting, so the skirt is the edge of her frock.

I’ll add it to my list! Thank you :)

That makes sense!! thank you for the quick and informative response. 😊

Yup. Exactly this. As someone who loves wearing this form of clothing, it is doable.

This right here. What the author is describing is an overskirt.

There are underskits under the frock (over dress). So she is pulling the skirt of the over dress up in the back and sides over her back, head and arms. She still has underskirts/ slips down as a skirt.

I haven’t read that book, but yes. Potentially. The book was published in the mid 1800’s, and clothes were so different back then. She probably would have had several layers of clothing, including underskirts and a ‘frock’ that went over it all and could have been heavier (even wool). It makes sense to me that if she went out while it was actively snowing, she could have lifted that back part of her skirt up over her head and wrapped it around her arms, while still having her behind covered by the rest of her garments.

I think this problem is extremely common and goes well beyond books. We have so much access to information and entertainment. The backlog can be so huge that it gives you anxiety. I struggled with this once I entered young adulthood and had the opportunity to learn how to... actually do things for fun and leisure. I had to start very slow. This included reading.

IIRC, I read an article where someone described the same sort of thing you are talking about. It was featured on Pocket, maybe a couple of years ago.

But what they said in their article helped me realize that it is just impossible and unrealistic to feasibly get to every single little thing on the backlog list, for anything. It focused on reading, but you can apply that to movies, TV, music, video games, etc. You name it, it likely fits.

What I remember is this: just pick whatever you want to read at that moment and read it. What you don't pick, you can always read another time. And if later you change your mind and don't want to read it, you are allowed to not read it. It's not going anywhere. If you change your mind again and do want to read it, that's fine too. Make peace with the idea of it being unfeasible to get to absolutely everything in your backlog, because it's likely impossibly long, and that there isn't a deadline to get through that. You can go at your own pace in any order you please.

And if there's so many choices that it's paralyzing, just pick anything and start reading, or whatever.

I'll have to see if I can find that article, if I remember to actually look later.

By far my favorite passage is when Luthien goes to the halls of Mandos and pleads for Beren.

Glad to see people feel the same. If you want a recommendation, the book I read before this one I loved "The Kind Worth Killing"

I feel the same! I thought most of it was very predictable! Plus the twists were too much, it felt like any shock value was lost because there were so many at the end it started to be very unrealistic. Plus Brooke was about the dumbest main character I’ve ever come across in a book!! I just read the description of The Paris Apartment and it sounds good! I think I may read that one next as well!

Of the 5 main books, it's my favorite. It didn't used to be. But the more I read it, the more I appreciate it.

Though, the more frustrated I am with the glossing over of the War of Wrath. A 40 year war so destructive that it sunk a good portion of a continent. Why is it that the three houses of the Edain fought with the newly arrived Elves, but the remaining Noldor of ME did not? Were there any Valar in the fighting? Surely the Elves couldn't have destroyed Beleriand. That's Valar level power.

I give props to everyone who can enjoy it, I read part of it for a class and it’s not for me